The Vulnerability of the Aged in Sydney

Abstract

Social isolation, public dependency and poverty are significant problems in old age, even though the majority of the elderly remain unaffected. This paper examines the vulnerability of the elderly in Sydney to social problems, through a discussion of precipitating conditions, and an analysis of census statistics on living arrangements, life cycle events and socio-economic characteristics. The aim is to estimate the numbers and proportions of the elderly potentially at risk through a study of predisposing factors.